Valve mechanism



H. S. HUMPHREY VALVE MECHANISM June 29 1926. 1,590,516

Filed August 22'. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fig (W ATTORNEYS June 29 1926. 1,590,516

I H. S. HUMPHREY VALVE MECHANISM Filed August 22. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A TTORNEY is well adapted for use in water heaters and Patented June 29, 1926.

UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE.

HERBEBT s. HUMPHREY, or KALA MAzoo, MICHIGAIb T.

VALVE MECHANISM.

Application m August 22,1924. Serial No. 733,552.

I This invention relates to improvements in valve mechanisms.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved thermostatically actuated valvemechanism which the like.

Second, to provide an improved thermostatically actuated valve in which the valve is opened and-closed with a snap action.

Third, to provide an improved thermo the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure Which is a preferred embodi-;. ment of my invention is clearly illustrated 1n the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a side view of a structure embody ing the features of myinvention, one of the gas pipes being shown in section, a portion of the thermostat being broken away.

Fig. II is an end view lookingfrom the left of Fig. I. i

Fig. III is a detail view mainly in section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Figs. II and IV.

Fig. IV is a detail section on a line corresponding to line of Figs. I and III.-

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the wall of atank or water heater.- 2 is a tubular housing for the thermostat projecting into the tank or heater. The valve casing 3 is provided with inlet and discharge connections 4 and 5. The valve 6 is provided with a stem 7 having tappets 8 threaded thereon for adjustment.

The thermostat consists of a tubular element 9 secured at its upper end to the tubular part 10 of the bracket 11 and the element 12 within the tubular element, the element 12 being preferably a porcelain rod acting upon the thrust member 13 projecting upwardly from the tubular part 10.

The operating connections for the thermostat to'the valve consist of a valve lever 14 pivoted at 15 with its swinging end disposed between the tappets 8 on the valve stem.

The rocker 16 is mounted on the pivot 15 and 1s operatively connected to the lever 14:

I by means of the thrust springs 17 disposed between the pairs of thrust blocks 18, one thrust block of each pair engaging the lever 14 on opposite sidesof its pivot 15, the other engaging the outer ends ofthe rocker. As the rocker is oscillated it swings the points of engagement of the thrust blocks to oppo-v site'sides of the pivot plane of the rocker,

thereby actuating the lever 14 with a [snap action and yieldingly holding it in either .position.

The'stop 19 engagingthe hole 20 in the rocker'limits the throw'of therocker. This rocker is actuated by the actuating lever 21 which is fulcrumed at 22 on the bracket 11, and is provided withfingers 23"and 24 engaging the eccentric lug 25 on the rocker member. The lever21 is operatively connected to the thermostat by means of the lever 27 which is pivoted at 28 to engage the thrust member 13, the lever 27 being provided with a thrust screw'29 engaging the thrust member 13 and the lever 21 having a thrust screw 30 engaging the end of the lever 27. This provides for adjustment.

The finger 24 is a blade spring and of such strength or tension as to actuate the rocker but. will yield on the further throw or excessive throw of the lever 21 under the action of the thermostat. This prevents breakage and also avoids the necessity of very accurate adjustments. The lever 21 is held downwardly by the spring 31 carried by the spring holder 32 and connected to the stirrup 33 embracing the lever.

The spring 31 has threaded engagement with the holder so that the tension of the spring can be adjusted as desired.

My improved thermostatically actuated valve isvery sensitive, that is, it can be adjusted to operate practicallyin slight variations of temperature.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

lc The combination with a thermostat and a valve, of a pivoted 'valve lever connected to said valve, a rocker having an eccentric lug, operating connections for said rocker to said valve lever whereby the leveris actuated with a snap action upon the actuation of the rocker, a stop limiting thethrow of said rocker, an actuating lever operatively associated with anelement of the thermostat and snap action,

' a valve, of a pivoted valve lever, a rocker 2. The combination with a thermostat and a valve, of a pivoted valve lever connected td said) valve, a rocker having an eccentric lu'g, operating connections for said rocker to said valve lever whereby the lever is actuated with a snap action upon the actuation of the rocket, and an actuating-lever operatively associated with an element of the thermostat and provided with a pair of fingers coacting with said lug, one of said'fingers being a spring adapted to yield on the excessive t row of said actuating lever by the thermostat.

3. The combination with a thermostat and a valve, of a pivoted valve lever, a rocker having an eccentric lug, operating connections; for said rocker to said valve lever adapted to actuate said valve lever with a a stop limiting the throw of said rocker, and an actuating lever o eratively associated with an element of the t ermostat havin a part coactin with said lug for actuating said rocker a apted to yield on the excessive throw of said actuating lever by said thermostat.

4. The combination with a thermostat and having a pivot axis coinciding with that of said valve lever, a stop limiting the throw of said'rocker, pairs of thrust blocks, one block of each pair engaging said lever on the opposite side of its 'pivot and the other engaging the'outer ends of the rocker member, coiled springs coacting with said pairs of thrust blocks, and a thermostat actuated member operatively associated with said, rocker whereby the valve lever is actuated with. a snap action upon the actuation of the rocker.

5. The combination with a thermostat and valve, of a pivoted valve lever, a rocker having a pivoted axis coinciding with that of sa1d valve lever and operatively associated with said thermostat, and spring actuated thrust members carried by said rocker and engaging said valve lever on opposite sides of its pivot whereby the valve lever is actuated with a snap action upon the actuation of the rocker.

6. The combination with a valve, of a ivoted valve lever, a pivoted rocker, means,

or actuating, said rocker, spring pressed thrust members carried byvsald rocker and engaging said valve lever on opposite sides of its pivot whereby the valve levef is actuated with a snap action upon the actuation of said rocker.

In witness whereof I. my hand.

have hereunto set HERBERT s. HUiiPHREY. 

